Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has raised concerns over what he described as a decline in international demand for Nigerian artistes, urging industry veterans to increasingly focus on performing in Nigeria.
Davido made the remarks during an interview on The Uncut Podcast, where he reflected on the changing fortunes of Nigerian music in major international markets, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to the singer, the growing familiarity of foreign audiences with Nigerian artistes appears to have reduced the novelty and drawing power that once characterised Afrobeats performances overseas.
He expressed hope that major Nigerian artistes would return home to perform more regularly in the coming years, noting that the international market was no longer as lucrative or receptive as it was previously.
“In the next 10 years I want the music OGs to come back to Nigeria. There is already ‘see finish’ in London, America, honestly,” he said.
Davido also compared the current situation with that of three years ago, when, according to him, a significantly larger number of Nigerian artistes could attract large audiences and sell out major venues in London.
“Three years ago at least 20 artists can come to London and do show and get sold out, but now I can count maybe 4 or 5 and we all know them. We can all see the shift,” Davido stated.
His comments highlight the changing dynamics of the global Afrobeats market, which has witnessed growing international exposure and acceptance of Nigerian music in recent years.
While the global expansion has created new opportunities for Nigerian artistes, Davido’s assessment suggests that increased familiarity may also be reshaping audience demand and the commercial prospects of some Nigerian acts in established overseas markets.
